Did you know that Miss Universe Philippines 2020 finalist Sandra Lemonon once auditioned to be part of Pinoy Big Brother (PBB)?
Her audition was featured in the 2018 ABS-CBN program Star Hunt: The Grand Audition Show, which airs remarkable audition pieces during the Star Hunt Grand Audition Caravan for ABS-CBN’s different reality shows and competitions.
Fresh from her much-talked-about Binibining Pilipinas 2018 stint, Sandra lined up at the PBB court, the audition area for aspiring housemates.
After one round of audition, she got a callback.
Prior to airing her callback, Star Hunt aired Sandra’s interview where she narrated her journey as a beauty queen.
SANDRA AS A BEAUTY QUEEN
During the interview, Sandra recalled competing in Miss World Philippines in 2016, where she placed Fourth Princess.
Next, she joined Binibining Pilipinas 2018.
She recounted, “I want to represent the Philippines in an international level, so I joined Binibining Pilipinas.
“I was preparing so much, we’re preparing the Q&A, we’re preparing [for] the catwalk, but when we got to Q&A—I’m not even kidding, I was the first one to go on stage and I was confident
“I’m like, ‘I’ve prepared everything! I’m ready!
“And then, after I got my question and it was…”
A clip of her in the Q&A round was then shown on screen.
Sandra’s question was: “What are your insights on the government’s Build Build Build program?”
In the Star Hunt interview, Sandra continued her narration of the experience.
“I’m so stunned because I didn’t know anything about that.
“So, in my head, ‘Okay, do you tell the truth, or do you echos lang?”
Her answer during the Q&A was: “Actually, you know what, I studied so much for this Q&A. But sadly, that’s something I don’t know really much about. But at least, I am here trying to answer a good question.”
In a separate interview, Sandra clarified that she heard “bill bill bill” instead of “build build build.”
But for her Star Hunt interview, Sandra said that she did not want to pretend that she knew what “build build build” was.
“I really told the truth because that’s who I am, and I don’t want to pretend to be something else.
“Apparently, it was very controversial kasi no beauty queen ever said she didn’t know, so I’m the first one!
“But I realized that I’m trending, but not in a bad way, actually. It was more positive because people appreciated that I was honest.”
PBB CALLBACK
The Star Hunt TV show was able to document Sandra’s audition callback for Pinoy Big Brother in 2018.
Sandra said before going to the auditions, “Today is the big day, I’m gonna go audition for PBB and I’m a little bit nervous because I didn’t tell my parents.
"Because I don’t want to make them disappointed if ever I don’t make it but let’s hope. Good luck!”
Then Sandra found out she had to do a sing-and-dance number for her callback. But at that time, Sandra was feeling sick.
She told the host of Star Hunt, “I’m a little bit nervous kasi they just told me we have to sing and right now my voice is kind of lost because I’m kind of sick.
“But it’s okay because I’m gonna try to, you know, laban the whole day out!"
Sandra then performed Kim Chiu’s “Mr. Right.”
She also danced to the tune of Nadine Lustre’s “Para-paraan” with another aspiring PBB housemate.
The panel members during her callback were ABS-CBN TV Production head Lauren Dyogi, director Erick Salud, and choreographer and former PBB housemate Mickey Perz.
She narrated what happened at her callback.
“Grabe talaga, when I was trying so hard to sound good, but it’s kind of hard to sound good when you’re kind of sick, but, at the same time, I tried my best.
“And after singing, we went to dancing, there [were] cameras, there [were] judges, everyone’s looking at you. 'Oh my God, what am I going to do?'
“I did some mistakes, I couldn’t remember all the steps, but I still went until the end. That’s my motto in life.
“I’m not very talented in singing or dancing. So okay, personality na lang.”
She was then interviewed by Lauren Dyogi about her background, where Sandra revealed that she could speak three languages: French, Portuguese, and Cantonese.
She also said her younger sister is her best friend.
After the interview, Lauren told Sandra, “Hopefully, you come to the final casting.”
SANDRA BACKS OUT OF PBB
When Pinoy Big Brother aired its eighth season in November 2018, Sandra was not part of the lineup of housemates in the two adult batches.
In May 2019, Sandra had an interview with ABS-CBN News where she revealed that she did not push through with her plans of joining PBB.
Sandra was supposed to be part of the second batch of adult housemates who entered the PBB house in June 2019.
She explained, “I wanted also sobra. I tried so hard, I went to the audition. So, ayun, I was really excited.
“But you know, sometimes, life happens, but it’s good preparation for next year.”
At that time, Sandra was already planning to join Miss Universe Philippines 2020.
Sandra said in the ABS-CBN News interview that she did not regret her decision.
“Hindi, hindi naman sayang, kasi even though I did not make it sa bahay ni Kuya, I learned so many struggles within me.
“So, I was like learning so much from the experience, so I’m so super-super happy and humbled to be even chosen person to participate.”
Sandra was able to push through with her Miss Universe Philippines bid as Miss Taguig, but she did not make it to top 5.
The cryptic Instagram stories she posted after the coronation sparked the Miss Universe 2020 controversy.
She mentioned a “big news” about the pageant.
She also had a post that read: “Karma is real. Soon because we deserve justice.”
But at press time, Sandra has not divulged her "big news."
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